Specify the SUA Separation parameters.

Specify the SUA Separation parameters.

• A. 5 Miles Lateral; 1,000 feet Vertical, below FL290
• B. 3 Miles Laterally; 1,000 feet Vertical, below FL290
• C. 3 Miles Laterally; 500 feet Vertical, below FL290, 1,000 feet above FL290
• D. 3 Miles Laterally; 500 feet Vertical, below FL290, 500 feet above FL290

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how separation is applied when operating near Special Use Airspace. For SUA, the standard en-route separation between IFR traffic and the SUA boundary uses a fixed horizontal buffer plus a two-tier vertical buffer that changes with altitude. The best answer has a three-mile lateral separation, and a vertical separation that depends on altitude: 500 feet below FL290 and 1000 feet above FL290. This two-tier approach helps manage capacity in the busier, lower airspace (where flights are closer together vertically) while maintaining a larger clearance at higher flight levels where traffic operates more widely spaced. So, the SUA separation parameters are 3 miles laterally, with 500 feet vertical separation below FL290 and 1,000 feet vertical separation above FL290.

The concept being tested is how separation is applied when operating near Special Use Airspace. For SUA, the standard en-route separation between IFR traffic and the SUA boundary uses a fixed horizontal buffer plus a two-tier vertical buffer that changes with altitude.

The best answer has a three-mile lateral separation, and a vertical separation that depends on altitude: 500 feet below FL290 and 1000 feet above FL290. This two-tier approach helps manage capacity in the busier, lower airspace (where flights are closer together vertically) while maintaining a larger clearance at higher flight levels where traffic operates more widely spaced.

So, the SUA separation parameters are 3 miles laterally, with 500 feet vertical separation below FL290 and 1,000 feet vertical separation above FL290.